Kaguya | Japanese space probe | Britannica.com Japanese space probe Alternative Titles: Selene, Selenological and Engineering Explorer Related Topics moon (natural satellite) Kaguya, Japan’s second unmanned mission to the Moon , launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in September 2007. Its proper name, Selene (Selenological and Engineering Explorer), was derived from the ancient Greek goddess of the Moon . Kaguya, chosen from among many suggestions received from the Japanese public, is the name of a legendary princess who spurns earthly suitors and returns to the Moon. Kaguya comprised three spacecraft launched together and then deployed once in lunar orbit: the Selene orbiter proper, the Ouna (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) Radio (VRAD) satellite, and the Okina radio relay satellite. (Okina and Ouna are the elderly couple who adopt Kaguya in the legend.) Artist’s conception of the Kaguya mission’s Selene spacecraft in orbit around the Moon. JAXA Kaguya was launched into Earth orbit on Sept. 14, 2007, from the Tanegashima Space Center on Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima prefecture.

Following two maneuvers, it entered a translunar injection orbit that lasted almost five days. Before Kaguya entered lunar orbit, Okina and then Ouna were released into elliptical polar orbits. The main 1,984-kg (4,374-pound) spacecraft then entered a circular polar orbit roughly 100 km (60 miles) high. Operations started on Oct. 20, 2007. Okina and Ouna were used to ensure continuous communication between Earth and Selene and to help map gravity variations in the Moon as mass variations accelerated and decelerated the craft, thus causing the frequency of Okina and Ouna’s radio signals to shift according to the Doppler effect . Okina crashed into the Moon on Feb. 12, 2009. Selene’s orbit was lowered to 50 km (30 miles) in Februrary 2009 and again to 10 km (6 miles) in April 2009. It was crashed into the Moon on June 10, 2009. The three spacecraft supported 13 scientific experiments.

The most notable was a high-definition television (HDTV) camera with wide-angle and telephoto lenses and 2.2-megapixel imagers. Early in the mission it returned stunning images of Earth rising above the lunar horizon. Selene had three other major scientific imaging experiments that had resolutions as small as 10 metres (33 feet) at the lunar surface and covered wavelengths from the visible through the near-infrared. One of these experiments, the Terrain Camera, had forward- and aft-looking components for stereo imaging. Other instruments measured particles, magnetic fields, and radiation scattered back into space (in order to assay the surface chemistry). Earthrise over the Moon, taken by the high-definition television (HDTV) camera on board the Selene … JAXA/NHK JAXA | SELenological and ENgineering Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE) Nov.

2, 2009 Updated Public release of KAGUYA data JAXA started to provide data acquired by the lunar explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE) (L2 products) during its regular operation phase (from December 21, 2007, to October 31, 2008) to the public through the Internet. The "KAGUYA 3D Moon NAVI" service, through which you can see KAGUYA data using a three-dimension geographic information system (WebGIS) via the Internet, has also commenced. The service enables you to enjoy KAGUYA's images and data in a more lively manner with a 3D map indicator function. With this service, we expect to further promote scientific research on the moon as well as conduct a feasibility study of the moon's use by both domestic and overseas researchers apart from KAGUYA observation device team members. We continue to work on processing and calibrating observation data acquired during the post regular operation phase (Nov. 1, 2008, through June 11, 2009) to make it available to the public. Oct.

9, 2009 Updated "KAGUYA" provides data to NASA "LCROSS" NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) launched with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), a NASA lunar explorer, will impact the Cabeus crater near the Moon's South Pole at 7:31:45 a.m. on October 9 (American Eastern Daylight Time or 8:31:45 p.m. Japan Standard time.) The process of the LCROSS impact is in two stages: firstly, its rocket's stage, which flew with the LCROSS, hits the Moon, then the LCROSS impacts the Moon after observing the rocket stage collision. The twin impacts will be observed by the LRO and ground telescopes. Through these impacts, NASA expects to detect water vapor in a large volume of dust blown up by the impacts. JAXA provides the NASA LCROSS observation equipment team with data and information acquired by the KAGUYA's Terrain Camera and Laser Altimeter based on the agreement for cooperation concerning SELENE-LRO between JAXA and NASA. So, as you can see, the KAGUYA contributes to various Moon exploration activities. Sep.

10, 2009 Updated KAGUYA research report published in Nature Results of the Multiband Imager onboard the lunar orbiting satellite "SELENE" (Kaguya) were published in the British science journal "Nature" on September 10 (British Standard Time). As a result of examining the central peaks, walls, and other parts of 69 craters, the Multiband Imager observation instrument team clarified for the first time in the world that anorthosite (*) consisting of nearly 100 percent anorthite is widely distributed in the lunar highland crust. * A white igneous rock rich in minerals called anorthite made of calcium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen is called anorthosite. Jul. 22, 2009 Updated KAGUYA provides data to "Moon in Google Earth" Through collaboration between Google and JAXA, 3D images of the moon's surface can be seen on the "Moon in Google Earth" using data observed by the Laser Altimeter (LALT) and Terrain Camera (TC) of the KAGUYA.

In addition, you can also find some images taken by the KAGUYA's high definition television camera from certain points on the moon's surface. *For accessing "Moon in Google Earth," the latest Google Earth has to be installed. (Image: Moon in Google Earth) Jun. 30, 2009 Updated Operation completion of OUNA (VRAD Satellite) The sub-satellite "OUNA" (VRAD Satellite) of the Lunar Explorer "KAGUYA" has continued its calibration data acquisition that was necessary for improving the resolution accuracy for the gravity field after the maneuvered falling of its main satellite KAGUYA on June 11. As the calibration data acquisition was completed, JAXA stopped sending signals to finish its operation at around 9:08 p.m. on June 29 (Japan Standard Time.) (Photo: JAXA stopped sending signals to OUNA) Jun.

19, 2009 Updated Last shots taken by KAGUYA's HDTV, TC and other camera JAXA released final still images taken by the High Definition Television (HDTV) of the lunar explorer "KAGUYA," which was maneuvered to be dropped onto the Moon's surface on June 11. We also provided a 3D movie compiled based on observation data captured by the Terrain Camera (TC) about 12 minutes prior to its landing on the Moon, and the last observation data of the Multi-band Imager during the second last revolution ahda of the last one before hitting the Moon. We plan to hold a public event "Fly me to the Moon in AKIBA" to commemorate the completion of the KAGUYA mission in Akihabara (Tokyo) on July 18 and 19. Please come and join us. Jun. 11, 2009 Updated KAGUYA dropped onto Moon's surface The lunar explorer "KAGUYA" was maneuvered to be dropped around 80.4 degrees east longitude and 65.5 degrees south latitude onto the Moon at 3:25 a.m.

on June 11 (Japan Standard Time.) The KAGUYA carried out global observations of the Moon for 17 months since its launch on September 14,2007. We are now asking people all over the world to provide us with images of the collision flash generated when the KAGUYA hits the Moon's surface, if someone successfully captures this feat. The KAGUYA's observation data will be released through the Internet from Nov. 1. May 21, 2009 Updated KAGUYA to be dropped onto the moon's surface on June 11 as observations completed The KAGUYA, who carried out its regular operations for about 10 months and post-operational observations for about 7 and half months, is scheduled to be maneuvered to be dropped around 80.4 degrees east longitude and 65.5 degrees south latitude on the moon's front-side surface at 3:25 a.m.

on June 11 (Japan Standard Time.) As the KAGUYA's expected landing position is in the shade on the Moon, we many be able to witness some flash from its collision; therefore, we are now informing all related organizations both in Japan and overseas of its falling time and location. * Based on the latest analysis of the orbit as of June 10, we updated the KAGUYA's falling time and location. * Please note that the KAGUYA's falling time and location are subject to change as we further analyze its orbit and conditions. Apr. 8, 2009 Updated "KAGUYA" to be dropped onto the Moon in June The lunar explorer "KAGUYA," which is now in the post operational phase, has been carrying out observations of the Moon from an altitude of 50 km since February 1, 2009. From now on, it will lower its altitude to 30 km, a Moon perigee, to continue observations. Upon completing observations, the "KATUYA" will be controlled to be dropped on the front side of the Moon around June 10.

We are now studying the possibility of holding a public event for the "KAGUYA" in July. Feb. 18, 2009 Updated "KAGUYA" successfully captured Earth's diamond ring On Feb. 10 (JST), the lunar explorer “KAGUYA” successfully took an image of the moment when the Earth looked like a diamond ring by its onboard high definition camera. The moment came when a penumbral lunar eclipse occurred and the view of the Sun from the KAGUYA was mostly covered by the Earth, thus the earth looked like a diamond ring. This is the first time that this phenomenon was shot from the Moon. (Image: (C) JAXA/NHK) * A penumbral lunar eclipse is a phenomenon in which the Sun, Earth and Moon line up in tandem, hence the moon is in the Earth's penumbra, or, when you look from the Moon, the Sun is partially covered by the Earth (partial eclipse.) When the phenomenon occurs, the volume of light from the Sun to the Moon decreases, thus the Moon surface looks darker when you look it from the Earth.

May 20, 2008 Updated The "halo" area around Apollo 15 landing site observed by Terrain Camera on SELENE(KAGUYA) JAXA reported on the "halo" generated by the Apollo 15 lunar module engine exhaust plume that was detected in the data from Terrain Camera (TC) image. This was an image processed by the SELENE mission instrument team from the observation data of the Apollo 15 landing site on the moon (the foot of the Apennine Mountains encircling the Mare Imbrium close to Hadley Rille). This is the world's first report on the detection of the "halo" through observations after the end of the Apollo program. Through the produced three-dimensional image of the same landscape as that of the picture taken by the Apollo 15 crew, the spatial accuracy of the TC observation was verified. The three dimensional view of the TC clearly shows the layers of lava flows that erupted approximately 3 billion years ago in the upper part of the Hadley Rille. Apr.

16, 2008 Updated Gravity Anomaly detected by using 4-way Doppler observation data from the RSTAR (OKINA) (RSAT) JAXA announced a new finding of a gravity anomaly for both the near side and far side of the Moon by using 4-way Doppler observation data from the RSTAR (OKINA) with the main orbiter, the KAGUYA. Until now, the gravity anomaly of the far side of the Moon has not been understood well. The gravity anomaly, which was obscure before, has been clearly revealed through observations by the Kaguya mission. For instance, the gravity anomaly of a basin on the far side is found to be characterized by a negative anomaly in a ring like the Apollo basin. On the other hand, the gravity anomaly of the basin on the near side is uniformly positive over the region such as with the Mare Serenitatis. Thus, the clear difference in gravity anomaly on the near side and the far side has been newly discovered and this fact brings a different story about the structure of the underground and the history of the evolution of the far side and near side of the Moon. Apr.

11, 2008 Updated KAGUYA (SELENE) Image Taking of "Full Earth-Rise" by HDTV The lunar explorer KAGUYA initially captured the right-side waned "Earth-rise" in November 2007 with its high-vision camera, but this time, it succeeded in capturing the "Full Earth-rise" without any wane. This is the first time that a high-vision image of the "Full Earth-rise" has been captured from space, 380,000 kilometers away from Earth. To capture the Full Earth, the Moon, Earth, Sun and KAGUYA's circulating orbits have to fall into a straight line. This peculiar positioning occurs only 2 times a year. Apr. 9, 2008 Updated KAGUYA creates topographical map of the Moon 10 times more accurate than before Using the Laser Altimeter (LALT) aboard the Lunar Explorer KAGUYA, JAXA acquired data covering the entire Moon’s surface and produced a topographical map of the Moon in cooperation with the National astronomical Observatory of Japan and the Geographical Survey Institute.

The LALT aboard the KAGUYA acquired the altitude data on the entire Moon, including the polar regions (above longitude 75 degrees), where other Lunar explorations had never investigated before. The number of measurement points is over 6 million (as of end of March, 2008), which exceeds 1 digit more than that of the former model Unified Lunar Control Network 2005 (ULCN 2005). From now on, the density of measurement points will increase through continued observations and a topographical map with even greater accuracy is anticipated. Dec. 21, 2007 Updated KAGUYA (SELENE): Shifting to Regular Operations The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is pleased to announce that the operation mode of the lunar explorer, KAGUYA (SELENE), was shifted to regular operations from its initial verification on December 21, 2007 (Japan Standard Time) as we were able to acquire satisfactory verification results for all fifteen observation missions.

JAXA had been conducting an initial functional verification of the KAGUYA onboard equipment for about two months since the KAGUYA was injected into a lunar orbit at an altitude of about 100 km on Oct 18, 2007. From now on, we will perform observation of the Moon's surface for about ten months to acquire data on "Moon Science" and other studies. Nov. 12, 2007 Updated KAGUYA and OKINA successfully observed the gravity field of the Moon's backside On Nov. 6 (Japan Standard Time), a direct observation test of the gravity field on the backside of the Moon was carried out using the “KAGUYA”, which entered the Moon’s orbit (at about an altitude of 100 km), and the “OKINA (Relay Satellite),” which traveled in the Moon’s oblong orbit (at an altitude of 2,400 km x 100 km.) The test was part of the function verification, and we have confirmed that the observation was successfully performed. It was the world’s first direct observation (four-way Doppler) of the gravity field of the Moon’s backside.

*Four-way Doppler Observation: measurement method through four lines of communications (Usuda station --> OKINA --> KAGUYA --> OKINA --> Usuda station) Nov. 7, 2007 Updated KAGUYA successfully takes images of the moon using HDTV camera! The "KAGUYA," which is currently undergoing initial functional verification, successfully acquired image data using its onboard high definition TV camera (HDTV). It is the world’s first image taken by the HDTV from 100 km away from the Moon. Image: (C) JAXA/NHK Oct. 5, 2007 Updated KAGUYA (SELENE) Lunar Orbit Injection was confirmed JAXA performed the lunar orbit injection maneuver (LOI1) for the "KAGUYA" (SELENE) at 6:20 a.m. on October 4, 2007 (Japan Standard Time, JST) and have confirmed that the KAGUYA was injected into the lunar orbit.

We are now pleased to be able to report to you that we have safely delivered messages and signs that were collected from 412,627 people through the Wish upon the Moon Campaign to the Moon. We would like to express our profound appreciation again to all participants. The "KAGUYA" is now flying in the lunar elliptical orbit at the apocynthion altitude of 11,741 km and pericynthian altitude of 101 km. From now on, it is scheduled to release the Relay satellite first, then the VRAD satellite. Sep. 14, 2007 Updated Launch Result of the KAGUYA (SELENE) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 13 (H-IIA F13) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Lunar Orbit Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 13 (H-IIA F13) at 10:31:01 a.m.

on September 14, 2007 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 45 minutes and 34 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the KAGUYA was confirmed. Sep. 11, 2007 Updated Launch Postponement of the KAGUYA(SELENE) / H-IIA F13 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency would like to announce that we have decided to postpone the launch of the Lunar Orbit Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE) by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 13 (H-IIA F13) as adverse weather conditions are expected during the scheduled countdown operations starting from one day prior to the launch day. The new launch date will be September 14 (Fri,) 2007 (Japan Standard Time, JST.) The launch time is scheduled for 10:31:01 a.m. (JST.) We will re-examine the weather and other conditions tomorrow for the launch on the 14th.

The launch was previously scheduled for September 13 (Thu,) 2007 (JST.) Aug. 15, 2007 Updated New Launch day of "KAGUYA" The launch of the Lunar Orbit Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE) by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 13 (H-IIA F13) was rescheduled for 10:35:47 a.m. on September 13 (THU), 2007 (Japan Standard Time) after replacement work of parts in the two onboard baby satellites of the "KAGUYA" was successfully completed. We plan to broadcast a live launch report on the launch day. Please enjoy it. Jul. 20, 2007 Updated Launch Postponement of the KAGUYA (SELENE) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency would like to announce that we decided to postpone the launch of the Lunar Orbit Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE) by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.

13 (H-IIA F13.) The launch was originally scheduled on August 16, 2007 (Japan Standard Time, JST.) The new launch date will be announced as soon as it is determined. Jun. 18, 2007 Updated "KAGUYA" (SELENE) debuts at Tanegashima On June 18, 2007, the lunar explorer “KAGUYA” (SELENE) was introduced to the media at the Second Spacecraft Test and Assembly Building at Tanegashima Space Center. The KAGUYA, which is carrying many messages submitted to the “Wish upon the Moon” campaign, is going to have final adjustments ahead of the launch. We are still accepting applications from organizations that can support the KAGUYA’s mission. Jun. 13, 2007 Updated Launch day is set! Special site is open! The launch day and time of the lunar explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE) and the "H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 13" is set at 9:30:48 a.m.

on August 16, 2007. We have opened a Special Web Site for the launch. We will carry the latest news on the "KAGUYA" and the "H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 13" on these special web pages, so please check them regularly. Jun. 6, 2007 Updated "KAGUYA" selected as SELENE's nickname! The nickname for the lunar explorer SELENE, which was solicited from the general public, has been selected as the "KAGUYA." We appreciate the many applications we received. In addition, a Special Web Site for the "KAGUYA /H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.13" will be open for the launch. Dec. 1, 2006 Updated SELENE "WISH UPON THE MOON" Campaign JAXA invites you to send your name and message to be delivered to the Moon. The campaign aims to make people feel more familiar with the Selenological and Engineering Explorer (or Moon explorer) "SELENE" project.

Your names and messages will be delivered to the Moon on the "SELENE." This is a worldwide campaign in cooperation with The Planetary Society of Japan and The Planetary Society of the U.S.A. We can accept names and messages until February 28, 2007. We are looking forward to many entries. Oct. 16, 2006 Updated Lunar exploration satellite "SELENE" make its appearance On Oct. 13, the lunar exploration satellite, Selenological Engineering Explorer (SELENE), introduced itself to the public at the Tsukuba Space Center. The SELENE is 2.1 meters both in length and width, 4.8 meters in height, and three tons in weight including its two sub-satellites (each of which is about 50 kg.) The satellite is scheduled to be launched by an H-IIA launch vehicle from the Tanegashima Space Center in the summer of next year.

It then will circulate on a lunar orbit 100 km above the moon for a year to elucidate the mystery of the lunar origin and development by observing the distribution of elements and minerals on the surface of the moon, its geographical features, surface structure, and gravity and magnetic fields in details. Jun. 9, 2006 Updated Symposium entitled "Countdown SELENE - New Generation in Lunar Exploration-" to be held We are going to have a symposium called "Countdown SELENE ?New Generation in Lunar Exploration-" at Keidanren Hall in Otemachi, Tokyo, on July 31. At the symposium, we will give not only a detailed explanation of the SELENE mission but also report on the preparation status of the launch, which is scheduled in a year, as well as discuss future lunar exploration and utilization plans. Some representatives of overseas space organizations will lecture on the latest lunar exploration projects. In addition, we plan to have a panel discussion inviting specialists in various areas including a planet scientist, astronomer, novelist, ceramic artist, and engineer.

We are hoping to inform as many people as possible about the SELENE mission, which is a lunar orbiting satellite for exploring the origin and development of the moon, as well as show JAXA? commitment to future moon probes. Please join us. Apr. 1, 2005 Updated Satellite system proto-flight test starts The SELENE team has been carrying out a satellite system proto-flight test since February 2005 at the Spacecraft Integration and Test Building (SITE). Currently, electric functions are being tested as installation of the onboard equipment onto the satellite structure panels progresses. After completing all onboard equipment installations, we will move onto a satellite integration test. Photo 1: System proto-flight testing The onboard equipment is being installed by opening the structure panels. The black boxes are the equipment, and the silver shielded strings are harnesses for transmitting electric signals between equipment. Photo 2: Mission equipment (the antenna part of the Lunar Radar Sounder) This is the antenna part of the observation equipment for the moon surface structure. The protruded part on the right hand side is deployed to be a 15-meter antenna in length. The SELENE is equipped with four antennas to form a cross dipole antenna.

Photo 3: Mission equipment (High Definition Television Camera) This is a high definition television camera developed by NHK to be loaded onto the SELENE. It is expected to capture an image of the Earth observed from the moon and of the lunar surface. Photo 1 Feb. 15, 2005 Updated Unit environment tests are underway to prepare for system PFT The SELENE project team is currently performing unit by unit performance and environment tests on each onboard device in preparation for the system proto flight test (PFT). The tests are to evaluate and verify if the satellite system can endure the flight environment, such as vibrations or noise at the time of liftoff, as well as heat and vacuum conditions in space in order to function properly. For this purpose, we are using a test facility that can simulate the space environment at the Spacecraft Integration and Test Building (SITE) at the Tsukuba Space Center. In this report, we would like to inform you of the test results on two small satellites that compose the SELENE, and the High Gain Antenna for sending moon observation data to the Earth.

- Between May and June, and in Aug., 2004, mass property tests for the "Relay Satellite (Rstar)" and"VRAD satellite (Vstar)" were carried out at the Small-sized Satellite Test Building. Photo 1 is of the mass property measurement of the Vstar. - Between Sep and Oct., 2004, a thermal vacuum test on the High Gain Antenna (HGA) was held in the 13-meter diameter space chamber at the SITE. Photo 2 is of the HGA set in the chamber. - In Oct., 2004, an acoustic test on the Rstar was held at the acoustic test facility at the SITE. (Photo 3) (Photo:1) Feb. 8, 2005 Updated System test completed on the lunar orbiter A system test on the moon orbiter was conducted between August 2003 and March 2004 at the Spacecraft Integration and Test Building (SITE) at the Tsukuba Space Center. The moon orbiter is the core satellite of the three satellites that compose the SELENE. The test was to evaluate the comprehensive function of the satellite system by installing all onboard equipment into the structure.

We conducted the following tests. (1) Satellite bus interface verification (mechanical and electric performance) (2) Mission equipment interface verification (mechanical and electric performance) (3) Comprehensive operation check (4) Mass property test (photo) (5) Electromagnetic field interference test (6) Magnetic test (7) Microphonics test (*1) (*1) This test was to make sure that micro vibrations caused by moving devices such as a motor do not affect the observation equipment. The satellite was slung up by a crane so that vibrations will not be transmitted through the floor. We were able to sort out issues for the next phase based on data acquired in the test. A unit environment test is scheduled next to evaluate the environmental adaptation of each onboard equipment, then we will move on to the system proto flight test (PFT) Feb. 9, 2004 Updated Moon Symposium A symposium called "Potential of space development on the moon and Japan" was held on January 23 at Keidanren Hall in Tokyo. 470 seats of the hall was not enough, and many people participated standing. We reaffirm people's high interest toward moon probing.

Current and future world and Japanese moon exploration plans were introduced at the symposium, and participants actively discussed the future plans at the panel discussion not only from the technological point of view, but also based on economic and cultural prospects. Photo : Moon Symposium Oct. 28, 2002 Updated Test underway on SELENE's Thermal Test Model A Thermal Vacuum Test is being conducted on the Thermal Test Model (TTM) of the SELENE at the Spacecraft Integration and Test Building of the Tsukuba Space Center since mid October, 2002. In this test, the TTM is placed inside the 13-meter space chamber simulating space environment if the satellite has sufficient durability ageinst temperature fluctuations in a state of vacuum. This test will be continued until early November, 2002. Photo:(Left)The SELENE's TTM (Right)TTM with the space chamber in the background Jun.

28, 2002 Updated An exhibition of the SELENE Project was held at "The 2002 Japan Earth and Planetary Science Joint Meeting." At the end of May, 2002, an exhibition of the SELENE project was held during "The 2002 Japan Earth and Planetary Science Joint Meeting" held at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Yoyogi, Tokyo. The exhibition included a 1/10 scaled model of the SELENE satellite, and various panels along with the introduction of the web site, "The Moon Station - The Portal of Lunar Exploration" and the handing out of soccer ball shaped Moon paper crafts. Photo: The exhibition corner of the SELENE project Apr. 2, 2002 Updated A vibration test on-board Laser Altimeter was conducted. In late February 2002, a vibration test on-board Laser Altimeter was conducted. This test may examine it's structural characteristics and environmental endurance when it is loaded on a rocket. The results were good and we confirmed that there were no problems because of the vibrations from a launch. Photo: The telescope of Laser Altimeter Jan.

28, 2002 Updated SELENE Mechanical Test Model (MTM) undergoing tests!! Since October 2001, examinations on the SELENE (SELenological and ENgineering Explorer) MTM have been carried out at the Spacecraft Integration and Test Building at the Tsukuba Space Center. These tests use a SELENE MTM made almost identically to its Flight Module (FM) to examine the satellite's structural characteristics and environmental endurance when it is loaded on a rocket. The series of tests is due to finish in March, 2002. Photo: The SELENE Mechanical Test Model (MTM) Oct. 16, 2001 Updated Tests conducted on SELENE's on-board small satellites Tests for the Mechanical Test Models (MTMs) of SELENE's on-board relay satellite (Rstar) and Very Long Baseline Interferometer (VLBI) radio source satellite (Vstar) were conducted at Tsukuba Space Center between August and September 2001.

During these tests, MTMs almost identical to their Flight Models' structure (FMs) were used to examine these satellites' structural characteristics and the environmental endurance when they are loaded on a rocket. The data from these examinations will be evaluated and reflected in the flight model designs. Photos: The vibration test for Rstar (above) and the mass property examination for Vstar (below) Sep. 4, 2001 Updated SELENE-B symposium was held On July 17 2001, a SELENE-B symposium was held at The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS). At first, SELENE was planned to have two missions of the observation on the Moon orbiter and the soft-landing experiment. The plan was modified to separate the soft-landing experiment on purpose of conducting more accumulated development in 1999. SELENE-B is planned to conduct this landing experiment mainly. This symposium was dismissed successfully with the introduction of elemental technology research and the proposal of mission. We will start to make a proposal for the entire planning of SELENE-B. (*)SELENE-B is temporary name. Photo: Lecture in SELENE-B symposium, Exhibition of compact Rover Jul.

25, 2001 Updated Total Dose Radiation Test for Spectral Profiler and Laser ALTimeter On early July in 2001, the total dose radiation test was conducted for the test model of mission instruments (Spectral Profiler and Laser ALTimeter), which would be embarked on SELENE. This test aimed at acquiring the degree how much the sensor and materials of the onboard mission instruments would be degraded in space radiation environment. This result will be reflected in designing the flight model. Photo: Test devices and materials Jun. 23, 2000 Updated With corporation of STA NAL, SELENE project is conducting Flying Test Bed (FTB) at Taikicho in Hokkaido, Japan to acquire basic technology concerned with lunar landing. FTB Captive Tether Test, (the test conducted by FTB suspended using a crane for the purpose of safety) which has been stopped being tested since March 28, 2000, started the test again from June 12 and we have finished its first Tether Test successfully. Nov. 19, 1999 Updated In SELENE project, we conducted the element test on landing gear.

The landing gear is very important part for its function in absorbing shock, which occurs in its soft landing on the lunar surface. In present test, we were able to obtain detailed data on the characteristic of this absorbing material, alumi-honeycomb core. This result will be reflected to the design of landing gear of SELENE Oct. 15, 1999 Updated In SELENE project, we conducted the element test on landing gear. The landing gear is very important part for its function in absorbing shock, which occurs in its soft landing on the lunar surface. In present test, we were able to obtain detailed data on the characteristic of this absorbing material, alumi-honeycomb core. This result will be reflected to the design of landing gear of SELENE. Jul. 26, 1999 Updated Series:Explanation for SELENE Instruments In the SELENE (SELenological and ENgineering Explorer) Project, it is expected that the instruments of the probe will provide better scientific results than ever, giving us more information for future utilization of the Moon. We are going to explain about each observation instrument in this column.

Exploration Of The Moon | The Apollo 11 | SMART - 1 Lunar Orbiter | SELENE | Change - 1 Lunar Probe | Chandrayaan-1 | LCROSS Exploration of Moon Exploration of the Moon Many countries and international organizations started spacecraft programs to explore the Moon. They include the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan, China, the United States and Russia. Apollo 11 « The Apollo 11 crew from left to right: Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin Aldrin. The Apollo 11 space flight landed the first humans on Earth's Moon on July 20, 1969 by the United States . Launched from Florida , the third lunar mission of NASA's Apollo program was crewed by Commander Neil Alden Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Jr. On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin landed in the Sea of Tranquility and became the first humans to walk on the Moon. Their landing craft, Eagle , spent 21 hours and 31 minutes on the lunar surface while Collins orbited above in the command ship, Columbia .

The three astronauts returned to Earth with 47.5 pounds (21.55 kilograms) of lunar rocks and landed in the Pacific Ocean on July 24. SMART-1 SMART - 1 Lunar Orbiter » ESA launched SMART-1 in 2003. "SMART" stands for Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology. SMART-1 impacted the Moon's surface as planned, on September 3, 2006 at 05:42:22 UTC, ending its mission. Moving at approximately 2,000 m/s (4,500 mph), SMART-1 created an impact visible with ground telescopes from Earth. It is hoped that not only will this provide some data simulating a meteor impact, but also that it might expose materials in the ground, like water ice, to spectroscopic analysis. SELENE « Selenological and Engineering Explorer Japan launched SELENE (Se enological and Engineering Explorer, Nickname – Kaguya) in September 2007. It was the second Japanese lunar orbiter spacecraft. SELENE was produced by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and the National Space Development Agency (NASDA).

After successfully orbiting the moon for 1 year and 8 months, the main orbiter was intentionally crashed onto the lunar surface near Gill lunar crater at 18:25 UTC on June 10, 2009. Chang'e-1 Change-1 Lunar Probe » China launched Chang'e-1 in October 2007 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center . It left lunar transfer orbit on 31 October and entered lunar orbit on 5 November. The first picture of the Moon was relayed on 26 November 2007. On 12 November 2008, a map of the entire lunar surface was released. Data gather by Chang'e 1 was able to create most accurate and highest resolution 3-D map ever created of the lunar surface. Its sister orbital probe Chang'e 2 was launched on the first of October 2010. Chandrayaan-1 « Chandrayaan - 1 India's First Moon Mission India launched Chandrayaan-1 in October 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

The lunar mission carries five ISRO payloads and six payloads from other space agencies including NASA, ESA, and the Bulgarian Aerospace Agency, which were carried free of cost. The cost of Chandrayaan-1 mission was about Indian Rupees 386 crore (about US $80 million). It carried high resolution remote sensing equipment for visible, near infrared, and soft and hard X-ray frequencies. Over a two-year period, it was intended to survey the lunar surface to produce a complete map of its chemical characteristics and three-dimensional topography. The Polar Regions are of special interest as they might contain ice. LCROSS Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite » In June 18, 2009, The US launched Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) as well as Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS). LRO is designed to map the lunar surface and characterize landing sites for future missions. Moving at a speed of more than 1.5 miles per second, the Centaur upper stage hit the lunar surface shortly after 4:31 a.m. PDT on October 9, 2009. It was a robotic spacecraft operated by NASA.

The main LCROSS mission objective was to explore the presence of water ice in a permanently shadowed crater near a lunar polar region. It was successful in discovering water in the southern lunar crater Cabeus. All these Spacecraft sought to find answers too many interesting questions about the moon that haunt the humanity even today. NASA - SPACE FLIGHT 2007 - The Year in Review SPACE FLIGHT 2007 - The Year in Review Space Flight Related Links Asian Space Activities China, India and Japan have space programs capable of launch and satellite development and operations. Kazakhstan is in early stages of joining the space-faring community. China Probably the biggest news in 2007, stunning the world, was China successfully testing a kinetic anti-satellite (Asat) weapon on January 11. This use of a mobile missile to destroy an aging weather satellite, the Feng Yun 1C (FY-1C) satellite at 537 mi. (859 km) altitude, created more orbital debris than any previous event. It showed that China has mastered key space sensor, tracking and other technologies important for advanced military space operations.

China, in effect, has two major space agencies: the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) for crewed and military programs, and the CNSA (China National Space Administration) for civil/scientific projects.

With a total of ten launches in 2007 (2006: 6; 2005: 5; 2004: 8; 2003: 6; 2002: 4; 2001: 1), China in 2007 continued to claim the third place of spacefaring nations before Europe, after Russia and USA, having made worldwide headlines in 2003 with its successful orbital launch, by the PLA, of the first Chinese “Taikonaut” in the 4760-kg (10,500 lb) spacecraft Shenzhou 5 (“Divine Vessel 5”) on a 21-hour mission, and in 2005 with the launch of the 7700-kg (17,000 lb) two-seater Shenzhou 6 carrying the two Taikonauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng on a 75-orbit and 115 hrs 32 min flight, designed to further China’s human spaceflight experience as it works toward developing a manned space station and to serve as a symbol

 of national pride, demonstrating China’s technological prowess.

The launch vehicle of the Shenzhou spaceships was the new human-rated Long March 2F rocket. China's Long March (Chang Zheng, CZ) series of launch vehicles consists of 12 differing versions, which by the end of 2007 have made 104 flights, sending 117 payloads (satellites and spacecraft) into space, with 92% success rate. China has three modern (but land-locked, thus azimuth-restricted) launch facilities: at Jiuquan (Base 20, also known as Shuang Cheng-Tzu/East Wind) for low Earth orbit (LEO) missions, Taiyuan (Base 25) for sun-synchronous missions, and Xichang (Base 27) for geostationary missions. Development of a less restrictive launch site, on the tropical island Hainan in the South China Sea, is under consideration. A particularly interesting event was the launch of China’s first lunar orbiter project, Chang’e 1, on October 24 on a CZ-3A, the third milestone in China’s space technology after satellite and crewed spacecraft projects.

Chang’e 1, based on a Chinese telecommunications satellite, will provide 3D images of the Moon’s surface, chart elements on the Moon, measure the thickness of the lunar soil and monitor the space environment between the Earth and the Moon. Its ten major launches in 2007 demonstrated China’s strongly emerging space maturity. On February 2, a CZ-3A launched the Chinese Beidou-2A (Big Dipper 2A) navigation satellite, part of the Compass Navigation Satellite System (CNSS) or Compass, followed on April 11 by a CZ-2C with the Haiyang-1B maritime surveillance satellite and on April 13 by a CZ-3A with Beidou-M1.

On May 13, a CZ-3B launched NigComsat-1 for Nigeria, on May 25 a CZ-2D the Yaogan-II remote sensing satellite, on May 31 a CZ-3A the comsat SinoSat-3, on July 5 a CZ-3B the ChinaSat-6B comsat, on September 19 a CZ-4B the CBERS-2B (China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite 2B), and on November 11 a CZ-4C the Yaogan-3 SAR satellite, winding up a record of 63 consecutive launch successes for the Long March, which in its two-stage 2C version has a lift-off weight of 211 tons (422,400 lb), a total length of 41.9 m (137.5 ft), a diameter of the rocket and payload fairing of 3.35 m (11 ft), and a low earth orbit launching capacity of 1 ton (2200 lb).

The 3B version has a liftoff weight of 468 tons (936,760 lb), a total length of 54.9 m (180 ft) and a payload capability to low geosynchronous orbit of 4.95 tons (9900 lb). Japan Japan’s space program, in 2007 had only two launches, both by the H2-A rocket, the nation’s workhorse, raising its total number of launch attempts to 11 after returning the H2-A launch vehicle to flight in 2005 following its major failure in 2003. In 2007, a major JAXA launch on an H2-A was the 6820 lbs/2546 kg/ (at launch) Selene (SELenological & ENgineering Explorer) Moon probe named Kayuga on September 14. On October 4.

it went into a lunar orbit, inclined 95 degrees, with 15 instruments including imagers, a radar sounder, laser altimeter, X-ray fluorscence spectrometer and gamma-ray spectrometer, to study the origin, evolution and tectonics of the Moon from space. Kayuga consists of three separate units: the main orbiter, a small relay satellite (R-Star) and the small VRAD satellite (V-Star). Also launched with Kayuga was Micro-Labsat-2, the second of Japanese microsatellites (typically ~53 kg/116 lbs after separation), employed as a teaching project for young engineers if the launcher has excess capacity. The second H2-A launch from Tanegashima, on February 24, brought the heavy (2646 lbs/1200 kg) military payloads IGS-4A & 4B (Intelligence Gathering Satellites) into low-orbit space, one optical (4A), the other with radar imaging (4B). Also in the headlines in 2007 was Japan’s Space Engineering Spacecraft Hayabusa (“peregrine falcon”, also: MUSES-C).

Launched on May 9, 2003, from the Kagoshima Space Center in southern Japan on an ISAS solid-propellant M-5 rocket, the probe made a successful touchdown on the Asteroid Itokawa on November 11, 2005, and a second on November 25, to collect samples to bring back to Earth. Hayabusa then encountered serious technical difficulties that cast doubt on its ability to return to Earth. However, contact was reestablished in December 2005, and in March 2006 JAXA announced that communication with Hayabusa had been recovered and its position established at about 13,000 km ahead of Itokawa. In June 2006, two out of four ion engines were reportedly working normally, which will be sufficient for the return journey to Earth, where its reentry capsule with the sample should arrive in June 2010, to be recovered by parachute at Woomera, Australia.

Since February 2007, JAXA has been carefully preparing to start the nominal return trip to Earth using the remaining ion engine and one attitude control reaction wheel (as two of the three wheels are unavailable due to anomalies). Hayabusa 's return to the Earth is scheduled for June 2010. In its longer-range view, Japan’s space agency JAXA is studying versions of a “new generation” launch vehicle, essentially a heavier lift version of the H-2A with 10-20% greater lift capacity than its predecessor, which would put it into the Delta-4 class. One area of great promise for Japan continues to be the ISS Program, in which the country is participating with a sizeable 12.6% share.

Its $3-billion contributions to the ISS, to be launched starting in 2008, are the 15-ton pressurized Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) called Kibo (“hope”), along with its ancillary remote manipulator arm and unpressurized porch-like exposed facility for external payloads, and the H-2 Transfer Vehicle (HTV), which will carry about 6 metric tons of provisions to the ISS once or twice a year, launched on an H-2A beginning in 2009 or 2010. On May 30, 2003, the Mitsubishi-built JEM arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. Kibo will be launched to the ISS on the space shuttle (STS-124, currently expected for May 2008), accompanied by Japanese astronaut Dr. Takao Doi, who has flown on the shuttle before, becoming the first Japanese to perform a spacewalk.

India India’s emerging space program, with three launch attempts in 2007, all successful, has come back strongly after only one attempt in 2006, when the first GSLV-F02 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle F02), carrying the INSAT-4C communication satellite, failed after liftoff on July 10 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota and fell into the Bay of Bengal. The three 2007 launches from Sriharikota were executed by two PSLVs (Polar Space Launch Vehicles), one on January 10 with CartoSat-2, SRE-1, LAPAN-TUBsat (Indonesia) and Pehuensat (Argentina), the other on April 23 with the small astrophysics mission Agile (Italy), plus one GSLV on September 2 with INSAT-4C, replacing the satellite lost in 2006.

India’s main satellite programs are the INSAT (Indian National Satellite) telecommunications system, the IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellites for earth resources, the METSAT weather satellites, and the new GSat series of large (up to 2.5-tons) experimental geostationary comsats. India's main launchers today are the PSLV and the Delta-2-class GSLV. India is working on plans to explore the Moon, with the announced intent to send an unmanned probe there in the near futrure. ISRO calls the Moon flight project Chandrayaan Pratham , which has been translated as "First Journey to the Moon" or "Moonshot One". The 1,157 lbs (525 kg) Chandrayaan-1 would be launched on a PSLV rockets. After first circling Earth in a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), the spacecraft would fly on out into a polar orbit of the Moon some 60 miles above the surface, carrying X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometers and sending data back to Earth for producing a high-resolution digital map of the lunar surface.

The project's main objectives are high-resolution photography of the lunar surface using remote-sensing instruments sensitive to visible light, near-infrared light, and low-energy and high-energy X-rays. Space aboard the satellite also will be available for instruments from scientists in other countries. Chandrayaan-1 is expected to be the forerunner of more ambitious planetary missions in the years to come, including landing robots on the moon and visits by Indian spacecraft to other planets in the solar system. Find this article at: Japon Uzay Aracı Kaguya'dan Etkileyici 3D Ay Görüntüleri - YouTube Japon Uzay Aracı Kaguya'dan Etkileyici 3D Ay Görüntüleri Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later.

Published on Sep 29, 2013 Japon Uzay Ajansı (JAXA) tarafından 2007′de aya gönderilen "Kaguya/Selene" adlı uzay aracı, ayın çok ayrıntılı incelemesini yaptı. Yüzeyinin yüksek çözünürlüklü görüntülerini çekti. Bu görüntülerden yola çıkılarak, ayın üç boyutlu modeli yapıldı. Mineral ve elementlerin dağılımı belirlendi. SELENE (/ˈsɛlɨniː/; Selenological and Engineering Explorer), better known in Japan by its nickname Kaguya (かぐや?) after the legendary Japanese moon princess, was the second Japanese lunar orbiter spacecraft. Produced by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and the National Space Development Agency (NASDA), both now part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the spacecraft was launched on September 14, 2007.

After successfully orbiting the moon for a year and eight months, the main orbiter was instructed to impact on the lunar surface near the crater Gill at 18:25 UTC on June 10, 2009. The orbiter's nickname, Kaguya, was selected by the general public. It comes from the name of a lunar princess in the ancient Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. After their successful release, its sub-satellites, Rstar and Vstar, were named Okina and Ouna, also derived from characters in the tale. SELENE (Kaguya (かぐや?)) est une mission lunaire japonaise qui a été préparée par l'Institute of Space and Astronautical Science pour le compte du NASDA. Le lancement a eu lieu le 14 septembre 2007 à 1 heure 31 minutes et 1 seconde, temps UTC. Le programme KAGUYA avait alors 4 ans de retard sur le programme initial. SELENE fue una sonda japonesa que tenía como objetivo estudiar la Luna.

Su nombre es el acrónimo de SELenological and ENgineering Explorer y también es conocida como Kaguya (かぐや o 輝夜, Luz Brillante), nombre escogido por votación popular por ser la princesa Kaguya uno de los personajes del Cuento del bambú cortado. Kaguya (jap. かぐや), Projektname SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer, gleichzeitig der griechische Name des Mondes und der griechischen Mondgöttin Selene), war ein Mondorbiter der japanischen Raumfahrtagentur JAXA. Кагуя (яп. かぐや?), англ. Kaguya), также известен как SELENE (др.-греч. Σελήνη, Луна) — второй японский искусственный спутник Луны. SELENE, resultado da abreviação de Selenological and Engineering Explorer, é sonda espacial de órbita lunar sob controle japonês, construída pela NASDA (órgão da JAXA) e lançada em 14 de setembro de 2007.

SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer), ook bekend onder de Japanse bijnaam Kaguya (かぐや), was het tweede Japanse ruimtevaartuig dat in een baan rond de maan werd gebracht. SELENE è una missione spaziale giapponese diretta verso la Luna, lanciato il 12 settembre 2007. Category Kaguya - definition and meaning Kaguya Sorry, no definitions found. You may find more data at kaguya . Etymologies Sorry, no etymologies found. Examples SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) (Ancient Greek: Σελήνη, moon), better known in Japan by its nickname Kaguya (かぐや, Kaguya), is the second Japanese lunar orbiter spacecraft. Widgets Magazine Get short URL 0 5 0 0 Japan has successfully launched and put into Earth orbit its Selene lunar orbit explorer, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said Friday.

TOKYO, September 14 (RIA Novosti) - Japan has successfully launched and put into Earth orbit its Selene lunar orbit explorer, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said Friday. JAXA said that the launch of the Selene spacecraft, which is also called KAGUYA and has been subject to delays for four years due to technical problems, was carried out by an H-IIA launch vehicle at 10.31 a.m. local time (1.31 a.m. GMT). "The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 45 minutes and 34 seconds after liftoff, the separation of the KAGUYA was confirmed," JAXA said in a statement. In line with plans the spacecraft will make two spins around the Earth and after 20 days it will approach the Moon and set into its orbit by the end of October. The selenological and engineering explorer Selene is Japan's first large lunar explorer. It consists of a main orbiter and two small satellites. Once the orbiter has reached the Moon, it will be put into an orbit at an altitude of 100 kilometers (about 62 miles).

The upcoming mission is the largest lunar mission since the U.S. Apollo program. The main goal of the Japanese expedition is to examine the Moon for information on its elemental and mineralogical composition, surface and sub-surface structure, and its magnetic and gravitational fields. The results are expected to lead to a better overall understanding of the Moon's evolution, the agency said. ...

Question: Selene (Selenological Engineering Explorer) was the second lunar orbital spacecraft launched by which country, in September 2007?
Answer: Japan